by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON - GOP Rep. Don Young of Alaska apologized Friday for using a racial slur to describe migrant farmworkers after being denounced by top Republicans for "offensive" language as the party tries to boost its standing with Hispanics.

"I apologize for the insensitive term," Young, a House member since 1973, said in a statement. "There was no malice in my heart or intent to offend; it was a poor choice of words."

In an interview this week with an Alaska radio station, Young used the word "wetbacks" and said the term had been commonly used when he was growing up on a ranch in central California. He issued a statement late Thursday saying he had "meant no disrespect," but the reaction throughout the day had been heated from both parties - particularly from his own Republican leadership.

House Speaker John Boehner, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus, Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn and Sen. John McCain, a leader in the Senate's efforts to rewrite immigration laws, all chided Young for his language and said it had no place in the Republican Party. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Xavier Becerra of California were among the Democratic leaders to criticize Young.

Boehner in particular was incensed, saying Young's remarks were "offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds." The House's top Republican said there was "no excuse," and the language warranted "an immediate apology."

Young, 79, said Friday the word he used "and the negative attitudes that come with it should be left in the 20th century."

His timing was bad. A bipartisan group of senators and House members plans to unveil bills in April that would dramatically revamp the nation's immigration laws and include a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants in the USA.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is spending $10 million starting this year on outreach efforts to minorities, women and gay voters as the party seeks to become more inclusive and welcoming. The new outreach is the result of the GOP's scathing post-election "autopsy" report, which noted that much work needs to be done to attract Hispanics. In the last election, President Obama won 71% of the Hispanic vote.

Earlier in the day, Priebus said Young's original words "emphatically do not represent the beliefs of the Republican Party."

"As I have continued to say, everyone in this country deserves to be treated with dignity and respect," he said. "Our party represents freedom and opportunity for every American and a beacon of hope to those seeking liberty throughout the world."

Cornyn, R-Texas, noted that migrant workers come to America looking for ways to improve their lives and those of their families.

"They do not come to this country to hear ethnic slurs and derogatory language from elected officials," Cornyn said. "The comments used by Rep. Young do nothing to elevate our party, political discourse or the millions who come here looking for economic opportunity."

Members of Congress drafting immigration legislation are considering the number of work visas granted to immigrants in several areas of the economy, including high-tech workers, agricultural workers and lower-skilled fields. Many of those visas would end up going to people from Mexico, Central and South America.

Young said he was "sorry that this has shifted our focus away from comprehensive immigration reform."

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said an immigration overhaul will be possible only through bipartisanship. He noted that Young, who has served beside many Hispanics in his decades in Congress, "should know terms like 'wetback' have never been acceptable."

"Now, more than ever, we must resolve the many issues of our broken immigration system," Hinojosa said. "But as we move forward, it's important that our Republican colleagues are mindful of how words have consequences. When elected officials use racial slurs, it sets back our nation and sets back legislators who are seriously working toward real, bipartisan solutions."

Lisa Navarette, a spokeswoman for the National Council of La Raza, the nation's largest Hispanic advocacy group, said she is heartened that GOP leaders were quick to denounce Young. She said the use of such a slur coming from a Republican in this day and age highlights the challenge for the GOP.

"It's an education issue," she said. "It's not a matter of being nicer. They've got some fundamental work to do to educate their party."